Q1. How long have you been writing? And what was the first thing you can remember writing?

The first thing I ever “wrote” was a story about a whale named Fred. I was four. I couldn’t actually write the words, but my ten year old sister transcribed my story for me and I did all the illustrations. From there, I can remember learning to hunt and peck on an electric typewriter my dad salvaged from one of his job sites. Since then, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have some story going on in my head.

Q2. Did you always want to be a writer?

From the time I realized I could make up stories in my head, I wanted to be a writer. At a very young age, I noticed that people paid attention when I spun fantastical tales. When I began reading, it wasn’t as if a window opened for me, it was more like the entire world blew up. There were no walls or doors or windows. An infinite universe was there for me to discover.

Q3. How did you feel when you were writing this book?

I felt ON FIRE! I get most of my ideas from dreams. One night, I found myself being introduced to a very handsome celebrity rock star, and that’s all the seed I needed to plant in my very fertile imagination. I gave myself eye strain constantly because I couldn’t bear to be away from the computer or a notepad.

Q4. How long did it take to write?

I wrote the first draft in about a month and it was the very first time I wrote an entire story from start to finish. I have hundreds of stories and novels that I’ve started, but none of them ever seem to find their endings. The Widow and the Rock Star was the first time I ever was able to type those precious words “The End.”

Q5. Do you have a special place where you go to write?

Not particularly. I’m fortunate in that I have a dedicated space at home where I can escape to, but if I’m in the zone, I can write anywhere anytime.

Q6. When you begin writing, did you ever think you’d get to where you are now?

No. I thought I’d be much further along than I actually am. I planned on making a career as a writer. Unfortunately, real life got in the way and I had to wind and wend myself through a bunch of different paths before I was finally able to get back on the road to writing.

Thanks J Thomas-Like! It’s been great hearing about your writing experiences and it sounds like you’re getting the hang of it! I wish you the best of luck with it in the future.